The National tribune., 1887-11-17
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
CARE OF POULTRY HOUSES.

CARE OF POULTRY HOUSES
In consideration of the acknowledged value
of hen manure, as the Winter approaches, espe-
cially in all cases where fowls have had their
freedom during the Summer, provision should
be made for the careful saving of all the man
ure that is dropped by the fowls. IL dry sand
or loan can be procured for spreading over the
floor under the perehes, there should be a
quantity secured in barrels OF boxes convenient
for use. There should also be barrels or boxes
handy for receiving the accumulations as
they are gathered up. If sand OF earth is not
at hand, sawdust affords an excellent substi-
tute, and on some accounts is preferable to any
thing else, because Of being less cold to the feet
in freezing weather. The floor under the perches
should be spread with the sawdust or earth so
as TO catch the droppings, with which they will
become mixed, and when the mixture is pretty
well charged with the manure il should be
swept up and put away for future use. Boxes
for sand and ashes for sand baths should be
provided, as hens will be enabled to ward off
vermin. A little sulphur mixed with the sand
aud ashes will assist in the work. If poultry
is expected to pay it must be attended to-
Germantown Telegraph.
ATTENTION TO THE WOOD PILE.
As soon as the harvesting is completed there
is nothing that more deserves attention than
the wood pile. This is upon the supposition
that wood is employed as fuel. 1t is much bet
ter TO have wood seasoned for use than to burn
it green; there is no saving in attempting to
burn green wood, any more than an occasional
stick in connection with the dry. While every
thing is favorable, good weather, freedom from
,l.- ~. ,nfc
for cutting, and about as we'll for hauling as to
wait for snow. Having drawn to the house,
the cutting for the stove may be put in at odd
spells, and accomplished with little or no
trouble, and before extremely cold weather
comes on.
FARMERS MEETINGS
As the season is now near at hand when the
gatherings of farmers under the various organi-
cations of the present time may be- look ed for
those who feel an interest in the occupation in
which they engage should endeayor to make
arrangements TO attend one or more of these
meetings TO profit by the teachings and expert
ence which they afford. IL matters little under
what name, or by whose direction the meeting
is held, if it has for its chief and principal
object the upbuilding and advancement of ag-
ricultural interests. In many of the States the
meetings held under the auspices of the State
Board of Agriculture are of an intensely inter-
or no real value to the farmer unless he attends
and becomes an attentive listener or active par
ticipant in the discussions that are engaged in.
Even the professors of agricultural colleges ac-
knowledge that they have learned much from
remarks and discussions carried on by profess
sional farmers who talked from actual expert
ence. 1t is this interchange of methods and
experiences that lead to new processes, and to
study as 10 causes and results. Attendance
upon these farmers meetings afford a season Of
rest and pleasure rs well as for the gaining of
useful and valuable suggestions.
Ia the New England States arrangements are
already being mady for Winter meetings. In
Massachusetts, the meeting is to be held at
Springfield the first week in December; later
in the month will be held at Hartford a COM
bined meeting Of the State Grange and Board
of Agriculture Of Connecticut, and later on
Vermont New Hampshire and Maine will
serve their farmers 10 similar meetings We
cannot too strongly urge upon farmers the de-
sirability of attending these meetings in their
own vicinity.-Erchange,
NOTES.
There is nothing that will fatten pig as
quickly as sweet potatoes. They are superior
TO corn for that purpose. Pick out those that
are marketable aud boil the culls for the pigs.
They may be given to steers also and can be
fed raw or cooked.
- Where one or two pigs are kept they will
quickly show the beneficial effects of q good
scrubbing and washing with soapsuds, espee-
ally If carboic acid soap be used. 1t should be
done on a warm day, the pen cleaned out and
new beds provided.
A practical farmer says that in setting
posts where great solidity is required he uses
gravel and small stones 10 fill around the posts
and then runs in thin water-lime mOtar, thus
virtually Embedding the post in rock, prevent
ing decay ard insuring solidity.
Tent caterpllars most unsightly on
trees aud shrubs, especially around our houses.
Strip or cut them of and destroy them. With
"A small hand-pruning shears we can cut or all
within our reach, and with Waters tree
primer get at all those TO l2 feet above our
heads.
Transplanting trees with frozen ball is
a safe but most labOrious practice, and in the
case Of large specimens. in the absence Of proper
appliances, too costly. Far better cut the roots
IN August or September and then the Spring
following lift the trees with every root intact
and transplant carefully.
Among the seasOnable hints is, that after
digging potatoes they should DO allowed 10 dry
thoroughly before removing to the storage bins.
If dried in the shade il will be better than
exposing them 10 the direct rays of the sun,
and they should not be stored too soon after
digging them, but DO kept spread out for few
days.
ANY animal giving milk requires frequent
watering. While many cows in Winter will
only drink onco or twice day, they will in
Summer require wator three times-morning,
neon and highland drink heartily each tine.
The water, even in Summer, is better for
standing where IL will be nearly blood warm.
Carrot juice may be used as a coloring for
butter in place OF anattO it is said but better
plan for coloring the butter is TO give the cows
a mess of sliced carrots daily. If preferred,
they may be cooked and fed with ground grain.
1t IS claimed in favor of carrots that they do
not impart any disagreeable Odor to the milk.
- Prepare for gales. Fall gales accompanied
by heavy rains are often very destructive to
top-heayy, slender-stemmed young trees. See
that these are stOutly aud securely staked, and
that the ties are calico bands marlne run
through a bit of old rubber hose or other soft
material, and don't tie them immOyably tight,
else in n strong wind tho head may snap right
OF at the tie.
- EyerGreens may now be successfully trans
planted, providing they arB carefully handled.
But IN the case of rather tender stock, or a
bleak, exposed situation, would rather delay
planting till early Spring. Heavy roofing
plants, rs yews, arbor vltaei some retinosporas
and spruces, l should not n5w hesitate to move
even il they should DO a little tender; but
light or lOng-spreading rooted stock, like some
jumpers or pines, / should be more careful
about. VFi
The supply of honey is not equal to the |
demand, and those WHO have il should not be |
IN hurry to sell, as priees are going up. A
bee keeper in Vermont lately sold one ton at |
20 cents Der Mound The Oh nf hono.r